Mozambique: Nampula: Escalation of violence in Memba and Erati Districts - Response Dashboard, as of 17 December 2025

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Violence sparks displacement, children bear the brunt of the crisis. Attacks by non- State armed groups (NSAGs) in Nampula Province in mid-November, combined with widespread fear of continued violence, triggered displacement across northern Mozambique. According to IOM Movement Alert #151, a total of 82,691 people fled from Memba to Erati, with additional movements to other districts in Nampula and across the border into Mecufi district in Cabo Delgado. Approximately 67 per cent of the displaced are children (70,000), highlighting the extreme vulnerability of families caught in sudden, fear-driven flight.

Local authorities are coordinating private sector and community support for people affected. As of 11 December, at least 12,580 people have returned to theirareas of origin following government-facilitated movements and assurances ofsecurity and assistance. The returnees received five-day food rations provided bythe government with support from the private sector and concerned citizens.

Humanitarian partners are complementing the Government’s response, but the assistance provided is insufficient and minimum standards are not met.As of 17 December, humanitarian partners have reached a total of 62,000 peoplewith some form of assistance. across affected districts on Nampula and in Mecufidistrict in Cabo Delgado. The majority of assistance has been provided in AluaPosto in Erati district. Food Security and Livelihood partners have providedmultipurpose cash vouchers to more than 20,000 people and two-week food rationsto 8,500 people. Health partners have reached at least 30,000 people with sexualand reproductive health services and medicines, while WASH support includedhygiene kits to 12,000 people and installed 5,000 latrines. At least 18,000 peoplereceived emergency shelters and NFIs, while CCCM services reached 25,000.Protection interventions assisted 5,000 people with MHPSS, case management ofpeople with specific needs, and dissemination of early warning messages Educationactivities, including MHPSS and accelerated learning, supported 2,000 people, and1,00 children under five were treated for malnutrition.

Thousands of children are exposed to heightened risks of family separation, gender-based violence, and child exploitation. Child Protection and GBVservices reached 13,000 and 5,000 people respectively, leaving the most vulnerablefurther exposed. The urgent scale-up of protection interventions is critical.

The ability of humanitarian partners to respond at scale with speed is severely compromised by lack of resources. There is urgent need for sustainedassistance to prevent despair-driven returns. Returns must be safe, voluntary, anddignified.

With humanitarian supplies nearly depleted after repeated displacement crises, the humanitarian team in Mozambique urgently calls for immediate, flexible, and front-loaded funding to deliver life-saving assistance in the north. As the rainy season hits, Mozambique is dangerously unprepared,with rising displacement and a cholera outbreak in Nampula sharply increasing therisk of mortality for vulnerable populations.